Violent protestors could be deported

Dubai: The Ministry of Labour will not hesitate to deport workers who are involved in vandalising police vehicles and public property during yesterday's protest.

Minister of Labour Dr Ali Bin Abdullah Al Ka'abi said the ministry is considering the option of deporting all those who participated in the violent protest regardless of their numbers.

"We will not be lenient with anyone who violates the country's law and threaten the security of the public," he said in a statement in response to a protest by hundreds of workers of a construction company.

The workers turned violent when police tried to move labourers away as they blocked the Jebel Ali Industrial Road, demanding higher pay and better living conditions.

The road remained blocked for more than 20 minutes at 5am until police removed the workers and cleared the road, said Colonel Abdullah Al Gaithi, deputy head at Dubai Police establishment, security and emergency department.

"The protest turned violent when the workers started to throw stones at the police patrols and motorists. One motorist got minor injures," said Al Gaithi.

Humaid Bin Deemas, assistant undersecretary at Ministry of Labour, told Gulf News: "There are several channels for workers to express their grievances and to demand their rights, but to protest without a valid reason is against the Labour Law and to commit act of violence is against the law and order of this country."

Better wages

The workers are demanding a salary increase of Dh200-Dh400 and better living conditions and an increase in buses. Their current basic salary is Dh600-Dh800.

"We live in bad conditions. Everything around us in our accommodation is dirty and unhygienic," said a worker.

Another worker said that the company also deducts visa expenses from their salaries.

The company management was not available for comment.

- With inputs from WAM